Places / Everest Base Camp
UV index at Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Check another placeLoading today’s UV…
- Low 0 to 2
- Moderate 3 to 5
- High 6 to 7
- Very high 8 to 10
- Extreme 11+
Hour-by-hour numbers
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|
The next few days
Each day’s UV curve and peak, drawn on the same scale so you can compare. The forecast reaches roughly four days ahead.
What to do today
About Everest Base Camp
Most Everest Base Camp treks start with a flight to Lukla at 2,860 metres and climb to base camp at 5,364 metres over about a week. You spend the whole trip at altitudes where UV is well above normal.
Elevation and your real UV
The forecast on this page covers the general area around Everest Base Camp. Weather models don’t resolve individual peaks and valleys, so treat it as the level of Lukla (9,383 ft). The WHO says UV rises by 10% to 12% for every 1,000 metres you climb. Using that rule of thumb:
| Place | Elevation | Compared with baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Lukla | 2,860 m (9,383 ft) | Baseline |
| Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m (about 11,290 ft) | about 6% to 7% more UV |
| Everest Base Camp | 5,364 m (17,598 ft) | about 25% to 30% more UV |
| Kala Patthar | 5,545 m (18,192 ft) | about 27% to 32% more UV |
Read the peak UV from the chart above, then adjust it up for where you’ll actually be. There’s a worked example in UV at altitude, on snow and under clouds.
When UV is strongest here
The main trekking seasons are before and after the monsoon, roughly March to May and October to November, with clearer skies. Snow is common at higher elevations, especially early in the season, and glaciers surround the upper trail.
On the trail
The lower valleys have some tree cover and villages. Above Namche, the terrain opens into rock, ice and snow, and there is little shade. The air is thin, the sky is deep blue and sun reflects off snow and glacier ice.
Sun protection tips for Everest Base Camp
- Cover your face. A buff, wide-brim hat and glasses with side shields protect against sun and snow glare.
- Lip balm and sunscreen with a high SPF are essential. Wind and dry air make lips crack quickly.
- Hikers often shed layers on sunny afternoons. Keep arms and neck covered anyway.
- Kala Patthar is more than 2,600 m above Lukla, so expect roughly 27% to 32% more UV than at the airstrip.
Similar places
Related guides
- What to Wear Hiking for Sun Protection: A Practical Guide
- UV at Altitude, Snow and Clouds: Why You Burn Faster
- When Is UV Strongest During the Day? Best Times to Hike
Elevations are rounded published figures. UV forecasts are model estimates for the area and can differ from what you experience on the ground. This is general information about sun safety and isn’t medical advice. Last updated September 20, 2026.